“Test Me”…Caution: Invites Harsh Conditions

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

I’ve mentioned before that it’s a good practice to start your quiet times or Bible reading times with these verses in Psalms as a prayer:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

It’s a great way to do a regular heart check and listen for God to reveal anything to us that we might need to work on. I actually have these verses written inside the cover of my journals as a daily opening prayer. First, I’ll pray these verses. Then, I’ll try to sit quietly and just listen and pay attention to anything that comes to mind. If something does, I’ll confess it right then and repent, asking God to basically clean me up!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Recently I saw Psalm 139:23-24 from a different perspective and realized that there might be a little more to this request than just sitting and listening for God to show me areas that need some work or improvement.

“Test”: Hebrew (H974) בָּחַן bâchan

A couple of weeks ago as I was going through this process of saying the verses, the words “test me” stood out to me. That’s usually a prompt for me to dig in a little deeper. So I did! I looked up the Hebrew word for “test” used here in this verse.

“test”: Hebrew (H974) בָּחַן bâchan

The Hebrew definition stated that it means to try, improve, examine, scrutinize, tempt, try/trial, to investigate, or to test (especially metals). Then the part about testing metals stood out to me. Immediately an analogy came to mind.

We like to watch the show “Forged in Fire” on the History Channel where they make weapons, typically knives and swords, out of metal. Throughout the show, which is a competition, they test the weapons (and therefore the metal). This testing phase is to see how the weapons hold up, to see where weaknesses or imperfections are, and to make sure the weapons can withstand use in battle.

Therefore, when I am praying Psalm 139:23-24 not only am I asking got to point out things in me that He doesn’t like, I’m also asking Him to test me like the metal of those weapons on “Forged in Fire” to find any flaws, weaknesses, and imperfections. These are things that may hinder me later which can cause me not to be able to fight any physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual battles properly. Additionally, weaknesses or flaws could potentially cause me to “break” if not identified and dealt with.

The “test me” phase

The thing is, on the show the testing of the weapons is one of the hardest parts to watch. In the strength testing phase they basically ABUSE these weapons, beating them and bashing them against some of the harshest material. One can’t help but flinch, and it takes a lot of effort to not want to close your eyes for fear of what might happen. On the show they always point out, “This test isn’t about what your weapon can do to the (insert testing material…ice, metal, wood, bone, etc.) but what the (testing material) does to your weapon.” They are not testing the effectiveness of the weapon but the strength of it.

Likewise, when I pray for God to test me, this might also include a testing portion to test my strength by putting me up against a harsh environment to see how I stand up and point out flaws that need to be worked on.

Apparently then, asking God to test me isn’t going to be a situation where I just sit, pray this verse, and listen for an answer. Evidently it also includes an active testing phase, not to be completed sitting in my quiet time chair, where in additional flaws will be pointed out to me in a more active setting.

In real life…

So practically, this might include putting me up against harsh conditions to see how I respond. This might include conflict at work, annoyances or offenses at church, relationship problems with my spouse, children, friends or family, or even encounters with difficult people…just to name a few examples. These circumstances might then point out any offense, critical spirit, cynical nature, complaining, arguing, etc. (basically any un-Christlike qualities) that I might be fostering or harboring. These kinds of things are weapon flaws and are not effective in battle. They will weaken me in battle, thus exposing me to potential catastrophic failure, injury, or personal damage. They reduce my strength.

In the show, the competitor must surrender their weapon and leave the forge when their weapon shows weaknesses or failures in strength testing. However, if the competitors had the ability to be at home in their own forges, they wouldn’t just quit. They would continue working on their weapons addressing the areas of weakness in order to correct them. Likewise, the same is true for us. We are not thrown out or given up as soon as a flaw, weakness, or imperfection is exposed. Instead, God continues to refine us, allowing us to make adjustments in order to grow and become stronger. We are constantly being refined and will continue to be until the day Christ returns.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Take Some Practical Steps to Ask God, “Test Me”:

• First, pray through Psalm 139:23-24 and have a receptive heart to correction.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24

• Secondly, listen for God to speak to you and point out any sin or things that need some work…But realize that this is only the first step.

If anything comes to mind, immediately confess that to God and repent, and remember that He will cleanse you.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

• Next, expect a more active testing phase, coming up against real-life harsh conditions in order to point out your weaknesses.

Take notice of any “harsh conditions” that you find yourself in, and notice your response. Is it Christlike? Are you seeing things in yourself that you don’t like or that might be offensive to God?

• Then, ask God to refine those areas and strengthen you by His power in areas where you are weak.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy…” Colossians 1:11 (NLT)

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

• Additionally, you can read more about God showing you things that are offensive or that need to be removed or cleaned out of your life in these previous posts:

Spiritual Laundry

Is It Time to do Some Spiritual Plumbing?

• Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself when weaknesses are exposed. That’s the whole point—to expose them! Realize also that this will be an ongoing process. God is not finished with you yet. He will always be testing, always be refining, over the course of your entire life.

What has asking “test me” revealed to you? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)